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WHAT IS a breath of fresh air was to read the thought of the activist lawyer Fadiah Nadwa Fikri who was causing daydreams ("N & # 39; do not embrace the hands that beat you ") on the meaning of freedom and dignity that connects us despite the illusion of democracy when we vote every five years. His thoughts are the subject of academic discussions in higher education institutions from anywhere in the world and one could hope even in the "new" Malaysia.
Unfortunately, we hear that Fadiah is under investigation on this article deemed "seditious" (sic) for questioning the royal institution. She was summoned to the Brickfields Police Station after a report was filed on her article and we learned that the police are investigating her under Section 4 (1) of the 1948 Sedition Act and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998
Critical and Creative Thinking in the "New" Malaysia?
Malaysia's 2013-2025 education plan of the old regime claims to "develop 21st century skills such as critical and creative thinking" and deplores the fact that our graduates are lacking in thought critical and communication skills. Our new Minister of Education started with progressive resolutions when he was appointed, but we are faced with a real case of old methods of gagging by the police using the colonial law on sedition and sedition. communications. The Minister of Education should discuss with the new Minister of the Interior and police the need for harmonization of creative and critical thinking with the needs of homeland security and insecurity of our local elite.
Freedom of Expression is a Fundamental Freedom in Our Constitution
The police should be reminded that Section 10 of the Federal Constitution guarantees Malaysians the freedom to # 39; s expression. The article written by Fadiah was certainly not an incitement to hatred or violence. She was expressing an opinion on an issue of public interest, namely the nature of our constitutional monarchical institution in the light of the recent events that followed GE14. Our deans in local social science departments should commend her for contributing to this constructive and intellectually stimulating political discourse.
His right to freedom of expression as a social and intellectual activist must be respected because such are the demands of pluralism, tolerance and open-mindedness that our fathers and mothers founders wanted for our democratic society and especially now, the so-called "new" Malaysia
Who insures the police in the "new" Malaysia?
In the "new" Malaysia, one does not expect the police to jump every time a nincompoop makes a police report against someone or n & # 39; Any organization. Aside from the gratuitous waste of taxpayer money, acting on frivolous police reports simply makes our police forces look stupid. It is the responsibility of the Inspector General of Police and the Minister of the Interior to ensure that there is a normal procedure for the police to scrutinize the reports of the police. police and finally decide on the report to submit and take other measures. This is only when the police believe that there is reason to take action if someone is called to make statements.
It is expected that the person or persons making the final decision will be well educated in human sciences and human rights. . It is clear that the police hierarchy in a "new" Malaysia must have sufficient maturity and caliber to decide what is offensive, sexist, racist or anti-human and to promote "creative and critical thinking". It's time for the police to be fully accountable for their actions and not act like stupid automata when a joker decides to make a police report against a Malaysian organization or a respectable NGO.
Please
The new PH government should take note: continuous reports of child marriages and unilateral conversions to the CEU's recognition , we are seeing more and more examples of the government's minauderies PH on their overt promises.
We certainly do not intend to look back by the new PH government on their promise to abolish the totally discredited colonial law, the Sedition Act and remove the boring parts of the CMA that have been used by the old regime against so many activists and leaders of civil society as well as opposition leaders who are now in the government in power.
So, the African-American social critic Dick Gregory not only tried He said: "The political promises are very much like wedding vows for some people … They are made early in the relationship between the candidate and the voter, but they are quickly forgotten. "
Suaram says: Do not touch Fadiah! Respect his right to freedom of expression! Abolish the Sedition Act Now!
Kua Kia Soong is Suaram's advisor. Comments: [email protected]
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